Same plane multiple thermoelectric mounting system

ABSTRACT

This invention is intended to provide a mechanical building block system independent of mechanical tolerances of generator stack elements consisting of multiple parallel in plane elements that can be mass produced and mass assembled without sorting or lapping or machining in place. This implementation allows for simple maintenance of interchangeable unmatched parts.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0002] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Thermoelectric generators 136/200, 208 Plural junction subclass205

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A mounting apparatus enabling multiple thermoelectric moduleconfigurations in the same plane to be assembled in parallel by removingthe need to sort or match mechanical tolerances of the individualelements of the resultant stack of components. This system also includesheating and cooling chambers with mating self sealing connectors thatare articulated in three planes so to be self aligning and remove theneed for sorting, matching or lapping of individual elements that occupythe same mechanical plane of reference. The preferred embodiment of thisinvention enables any number of elements of the electricity generator tobe mass assembled by reducing external heating and cooling fluidicconnections as each element has self aligning fluidic input and outputports to adjacent modules of the same stack. This embodiment reducesphysical connections, allows for mechanical thermal expansion andcontraction in three axis while maintaining compression equally on allmembers of the parallel in plane stack of thermoelectric modules. Thisembodiment removes mechanical tolerance stack-up constraints between anyelement of the multiple in plane elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0005]FIG. 1. Thermoelectrics mounted in same plane

[0006]FIG. 1. depicts a view of the multiple thermoelectric modulesmounted in the same plane sandwiched between two opposing cold fluidicblocks under spring compression with the heating fluidic block in thecenter.

[0007]FIG. 2. Thermoelectrics mounted in same plane with cut-away view

[0008]FIG. 2. depicts a cut-away view of the multiple thermoelectricmodules mounted in the same plane sandwiched between two opposing coldfluidic blocks under spring compression with the heating fluidic blockin the center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] This application pertains to removing the need to sort individualcomponents that could consist of multiple elements configured in thesame plane as a single system. The inherent design allows for theseparation of air in the heating and cooling fluidic paths by feedinginput fluids from the lowest point of the invention to the highest pointof discharge of the invention. Fluid paths are mounted with a pronouncedelevation of all exit paths from each element of the heating or coolingblocks. The required elevation is dependant on fluid velocity throughthe heating and cooling blocks. A base elevation of 15 degrees to 45degrees from horizontal is the preferred configuration for fluid pathsbelow one inch in diameter.

[0010] Refer to FIG. 1 for the following description. Multiple fluids ofdifferent temperatures for circulating to and from external storagetanks or reservoirs cycle through opposing blocks of different fluidtemperatures generate electricity within the thermoelectric modules.Cold blocks numbers 1 and 3, are in spring compression around hot blocknumber 7. Electricity is generated in thermoelectric modules number 10and number 11. Cold water enters via number 9 and exits number 12. Hotwater enters via number 8 and exits from number 2 to return to a storagereservoir. The temperature difference between the hot and cold generateselectricity. By circulating fluid from the low input ports of number 8and number 9, air is transported out of the assembly to the exit portsnumber 2 for hot fluid and number 12 for cold fluid. Each cold block ifbifurcated at number 5 which allows for not having to sort any stackelement (thermoelectric modules or hot or cold blocks) for thicknessdimensions. Cold ports number 4 and number 6 show detents for O-ringsthat allow for stack mechanical tolerance build up to be automaticallycompensated and removed while providing automatic compensation forthermal expansion and contraction. Any number of elements can be addedto the stack by mounting the new element to the fluid input port number6 and output fluid port number 4.

[0011] Refer to FIG. 2 for the following description. Cold block number1 is bifurcated in the middle and has a dog leg feature that keepsadjacent blocks connected and applies pressure on the o-ring number 2.This feature eliminates sorting multiple in plane sorting ofthermoelectric modules and other stack elements. O-ring number 5 alsoallows dimensional mechanical differences to be automatically adjustedto and eliminating sorting or lapping procedures. Compression on thetotal stack is shown in the detail A enlargement. The spring, number 6is held on to the connecting rod, number 8, under compression, and thespring is held in place by a C-ring, number 7. This embodiment allowsall axis expansion, contraction and natural mechanical variance in stackelements in multi-up configurations. This view shows a double opposedtwo multi-up thermoelectric module configuration. Any number of parallelin plane configurations can be constructed in this manner.

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. The elimination of element sortingfor mechanical tolerance build up between elements of a multiple inplane thermoelectric module implementation of an electric generator byusing automatic self locating mechanical features to accommodate partdifferences.
 2. An integrated generator consisting of any number of inplane thermoelectric modules, assembled between hot or cold fluid orgases.
 3. A fluid circulation system that separates air from thecirculation fluid enabling heating and cooling components to be addedand primed easily and;
 4. Minimizing the physical fluid connections bymultiple in plane thermoelectric module assembly from features thatsupply and exit fluids or gases.
 5. By integrating the cool and hotfluid or gas ports as features to supply adjacent blocks correspondingfluids from within the element that the thermal losses due to supplyhoses are eliminated as supply hoses are not required between blocks. 6.Exact mechanical Port alignment to supply and return manifolds iseliminated by o-ring enabled slip joints in the ports of the hot andcold blocks that allow for multi-axis mechanical differences.
 7. Springcompressed elements allow for thermal expansion and contraction whileallowing for simple servicing (adding or replacing) elements withoutmechanical fastener adjustments.